Defying growing mass-production techniques to make papel picado, second-generation paper cutter Yuridia Torres Alfaro makes her own stencils at her Xochimilco workshop.

While some use pre-made stencils or laser cutters to mass-produce Day of the Dead decorations, Mexican artisans are working to preserve a centuries-old tradition of "papel picado." ...

A woman uses a plastic stencil to make “papel picado”, the traditional manufacture of tissue paper cut-out decorations long used in altars for the Day of the Dead, in a workshop in Xochimilco ...

While some use pre-made stencils or laser cutters to mass-produce Day of the Dead decorations, Mexican artisans are working to preserve a centuries-old tradition of "papel picado." ...

Mexican artisans are struggling to preserve the traditional manufacture of paper cut-out decorations long used in altars for the Day of the Dead.

Mexican artisans are struggling to preserve the traditional manufacture of paper cut-out decorations long used in altars for the Day of the Dead.

Mexican artisans are struggling to preserve the traditional manufacture of paper cut-out decorations long used in altars for the Day of the Dead.

Mexican artisans are struggling to preserve the traditional manufacture of paper cut-out decorations long used in altars for the Day of the Dead.

Mexican artisans are struggling to preserve the traditional manufacture of paper cut-out decorations long used in altars for the Day of the Dead.